How to transfer data from Redmi to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from the old Redmi can seem like a daunting task. Many users fear losing important contacts, photos or settings, especially if the models run on different versions of MIUI. In practice, the process takes 10-30 minutes, if you know the nuances. In this article, 5 working methods of transfer (including hidden Mi Mover features), comparing transfer speeds and solving typical errors.

Modern Xiaomi smartphones support automated migration tools, but their effectiveness depends on the firmware version. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 14 will transfer data to the Xiaomi 13T faster than the POCO X5 with custom firmware. We tested all methods on current models from 2023-2026 and found that wireless transfer via Mi Mover works more stable than cloud services, with data volumes up to 50 GB.

If you’ve never transferred data between Xiaomi devices, start by preparing: check battery power (minimum) 50%), free 10-15% Memory on your new phone and write down passwords from Mi Account and Google. 80% typical.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary migration application pre-installed on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, and it transmits data over a wireless network (Wi-Fi Direct) or via an OTG cable, supporting:

• 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums)
• 🎵 Music, documents, browser bookmarks
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)
• 📱 Annexes (only) APK-files, no data)

Transfer speeds vary by volume: 10 GB of data is transferred in 15-25 minutes with a stable connection. To activate Mi Mover on the new Xiaomi, select the Data Transfer option from the settings menu when you first turn on. If you missed this step, manually launch the application from the Tools folder.

⚠️ Note: Mi Mover does not transfer data from some Chinese firmware versions (e.g., Mi Mover, MIUI China ROM). Before migrating, check the software region in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If you see "CN" — Use alternative methods.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Mi Mover on both phones.
2. On Redmi (old phone), select “I am the sender” and on Xiaomi, “I am the recipient.”
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of the new device or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
4. Select data types to transfer (you can exclude unnecessary files).
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until the transfer is completed (don’t block the screens!).

Battery charge >50% on both devices|

Disable VPN and power saving modes |

Make sure the new Xiaomi has enough memory |

Write down the password from Mi Account (if you use the cloud)-->

2. Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar, mail)

If your Redmi has a Google Account attached, most of your system data is already synced to the cloud automatically, a method that is most reliable for contacts, calendar events and Gmail, but not for multimedia or apps.

To move the data:

1. On Redmi, check the sync enabled: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. On the new Xiaomi, add the same Google Account when you first start or through Settings → Accounts.
3. Wait for automatic synchronization (can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If Redmi used a local Mi Account for contacts (without Google binding), export them to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Import/Export and transfer manually.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Automatic update of data when changes occur.
• 🌐 Access to contacts from any device (including PC).
• 🛡️ Protection against loss when resetting your phone.

Limitations:

• ❌ Not tolerated. SMS, call log, photo.
• ❌ Apps and their data remain on the old phone.

Mi Mover (official Xiaomi app)|

Google Account (Synced) |

Cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) |

Manual transfer via cable/PC|

Another option-->

3. Cloud services: Mi Cloud vs Google Drive

If wireless porting via Mi Mover is not available (for example, due to different firmware regions), use cloud storage. Xiaomi offers its own Mi Cloud service (5GB for free), and Google Drive is suitable for backing up any files.

Comparison of services:

Instructions for Mi Cloud:

1. On Redmi, enable sync: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync.
2. Select data types (e.g., Contacts, Gallery) and wait for the download.
3. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same Mi Account and enable synchronization.

Mi Cloud does not carry installed applications and their data (for example, save in games or setup messengers).

💡

If Mi Cloud gives you an error "Not enough space", clear unnecessary backups in the Settings section → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Storage Management. Old backups can be deleted without losing current data.

4. Manual transfer via OTG or PC cable

For users who prefer full control of the process, manual file transfer via a USB OTG cable or computer is suitable, and this method is versatile and works even with different firmware, but requires more time.

Tools required:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C to USB-C (or OTG-adapter).
• 💻 Computer with USB-port (optional, for backup).
• 📁 Flash drive (if you transfer it through) OTG).

Step-by-step instructions via PC:

1. Connect Redmi to your computer in File Transfer mode (on your phone screen, select this option when you connect).
2. Copy the desired folders (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads) to the hard drive.
3. Disable Redmi, connect the new Xiaomi and transfer the files back.
4. For contacts, export them to a.vcf file (as described above) and import them on a new phone.

⚠️ Note: When connecting through MTP (file transfer protocols, some folders may be hidden. To see them, turn on the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer (View) → Hidden elements).

Advantages of the manual method:

• 🔍 Full control over the data transferred.
• 📦 Ability to filter out unnecessary files.
• 🔄 It works on any device, including phones with custom firmware.

5. Transfer of applications and their data

Standard methods (Mi Mover, Google Account) do not store application data – only themselves. APK-To migrate, for example, chat history to WhatsApp or Viber settings, use built-in messenger backup features or specialized tools.

Instructions for popular applications:

For WhatsApp:

1. On Redmi, create a backup: WhatsApp Settings → Chat → Backup.
2. Transfer the backup file (msgstore.db.crypt14) to the new Xiaomi to /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/.
3. Install WhatsApp on your new phone and restore chats when you first start.

⚠️ Note: If WhatsApp requests a phone number check on a new device, do not confirm it until you transfer the backup file!

💡

Always use their built-in backup features to port these applications. Universal tools (like Titanium Backup) require root rights and can disrupt MIUI.

6. Solving typical errors in the transfer

Even when you follow instructions, users have problems. TOP-5 mistakes and their solutions:

1 Mi Mover does not find the device

• 🔄 Reboot both phones and try again.
• 📶 Turn it off. VPN Check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔧 Update Mi Mover to the latest version on Google Play.

Data transmission interrupted

• 🔋 Make sure the battery is charged >30% (at a rate below 20% Mi Mover automatically stops).
• 📡 Move the phones closer together (maximum 1 meter).
• 🚫 Close all background apps that consume the Internet (such as YouTube or TikTok).

3. No photo/video transferable

• 📂 Check that files are stored in standard folders (DCIM/Camera). Photos from Google Photos are transferred separately.
• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files on your PC if you copy manually.

4. "Insufficient memory" error

• 🗑️ Free up space on the new Xiaomi by removing unnecessary apps or files.
• ☁️ Transfer data in parts (for example, first contacts, then photos).

5. SMS is not restored

• 📱 If you used Mi Mover, check that the new phone has a standard Messages app (not Google Messages).
• 📄 For manual transfer, export SMS through apps SMS Backup & Restore.

💡

If the new Xiaomi has lost wallpaper or notification sounds after the transfer, check the theme settings in Settings → Design → My Themes. Sometimes theme system files do not migrate automatically.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer